DHL Express Germany now operates its SmartTruck vehicles using Quintiq technology in Cologne/Bonn region after successfully testing them in Berlin.

The DHL SmartTruck vehicles were originally deployed in the German capital in March 2009 as part of DHL's pilot project and have since saved time and money in addition to reducing CO2 emissions; crediting DHL's dynamic route planning application powered by Quintiq in the SmartTruck pilot project.

As planned through Quintiq reporting, DHL increased dispatch productivity, improved service quality, exercised greater precision in pick-ups and deliveries and more. Tour duration was reduced by eight percent and DHL managed to decrease mileage by 15 percent. Additional benefits include less fuel consumption and increased parcel deliveries with the same fleet, thus reducing CO2 emissions.

"The DHL SmartTruck solution has been so successful in Berlin that we are convinced that we can achieve significant improvements in route planning and delivery of DHL Express in Cologne as well," said Dr. Keith Ulrich, Vice President DHL Solutions & Innovations (DSI), the central business area for the development of innovative solutions at DHL.

"For our customers, absolute punctuality in terms of pick-up and delivery is essential, and a precise route planning already provides an important basis," said Ralph Wondrak, executive vice president operations at DHL Express Germany. The DHL Express service can now be further improved in the Cologne/Bonn area, especially in terms of time-definite products. "We are confident that we will complete this project successfully to further expand the express routes with the SmartTrucks in the long run," he concluded.

Quintiq is currently used by DHL in 49 countries already for the planning of the pick-ups of parcels and continues to improve service for both shippers and recipients.